What hard drives are compatible with laptops?

06
2013-11
  • soul

    I have a laptop and its hard drive is dying.

    Are there only certain types and models of hard drive that would be compatible with my laptop?

    • Answers
  • Darth Android

    As a general rule of thumb, you only need to match physical size and the data connector, and perhaps the speed.

    Size: Most laptop harddrives are 2.5" drives, while most desktop drives are 3.5" drives. For your laptop, I'm pretty sure it's a 2.5" drive.

    Connector: Most laptops these days come with a SATA connector, and it looks like that is the connector your laptop uses. Older laptops might use an IDE connector, but that has been mostly phased out from what I've seen.

    Speed: Most laptop drives operate at 5400RPM to save battery power and to reduce heat, while their desktop counterparts operate at 7200RPM. Your laptop takes a 5400RPM drive, except for the 200GB model which uses a 4200RPM drive.

    You should be good with any drive that matches these options (2.5", SATA connector, 5400RPM). You can find the user manual for your laptop at this address.

  • Preet Sangha

    I agree with the answers about a SATA drive, however speaking from personal experience. I replaced the a 4300rpm drive on a 3 year old laptop with a 7200rpm disk (in 2007) and the speed increase was very very noticeable while the effect on battery performance was negligible. This increase in speed was a major reason for extending the life of my 2003 built laptop to 2010.

    I would recommend that you get the highest rpm drive you can get for for you laptop for this reason.

  • Josip Medved

    Any 2.5" hard drive will do. However, do take care to install one with same RPM as original one because of potential heating issues.

    I checked service manual for it and it says that you should be looking for SATA hard drive at 5400 rpm.


    • Related Question

    What kind of hard drive can I upgrade my laptop with?
  • wahle509

    Laptop: Dell Inspiron B130

    Current HD: Toshiba 60GB ATA-6

    I would like to upgrade to a hard drive with a lot more space; at least 120GBs. What kinds are compatible with my laptop? Is there a maximum size that it can handle? Any other recommendations for upgrading my HD?


    • Related Answers
  • ChrisF

    A quick search has revealed this 160GB one.

    Origin Storage 160GB INSPIRON 1300 2.5IN 5400RPM MAIN/1ST EIDE HD KIT IN

    It's a UK site.

  • Dave M

    Western Digital still makes a number of PATA drives that should suit and most resellers should be able to obtain Wide range of sizes available

    CDW US has the 160GB at $64.99

    http://www.westerndigital.com/en/products/products.asp?DriveID=599

  • ricbax

    From the Dell support forums: What kind of Hard drive do I need for my Inspiron B130 Lap top upgrade? Confused Newbee

  • Mark Johnson

    If you've got a Frys or Micro Center nearby, pull your drive, drop it in an anti-static bag and take it down to compare to the bare drives they'll have in stock. Find one with the same dimensions and see if it will be compatible with your mounting hardware (take your drive sled / check the screw holes).

    You can shop online, in theory any PATA 2.5" laptop drive should work. You might find that practice is another matter, though.

    Don't forget the thermal situation - if you replace a 4200rpm drive with a 7200rpm model, you'll be dumping extra heat into your laptop.

    If you've got a 60GB drive now, I'd be surprised if you could buy a drive bigger than your hardware / operating system will support. The two limiting factors will be what your BIOS will let you boot from and what your operating system will support.

    Speaking of operating systems - do you have restore / install discs? You'll need to either reinstall or migrate your existing installation to the new drive. You might want to pick up an external USB enclosure for your old drive, it'll make the process easier.